Re-elect Mitch Daniels
EDITORIAL
Louisville Courier Journal;
October, 2008
In 2004, we endorsed Republican Mitch Daniels' bid to end Democrats' 16-year hold on the Indiana governor's office, and we've been glad we did. After a bit of a bumpy start, he's had the kind of success we hoped he would have, and we urge his re-election.
His opponent, Democrat Jill Long Thompson, is close in some polls but trailing significantly in others. She would bring impressive background and dedication to the job.
What we like so much about Mr. Daniels is that he's a doer. He privatized a ramshackle Northern Indiana toll road (and those who claim he didn't get enough money for the asset should remember that it was auctioned to the highest bidder). He modernized the notorious Bureau of Motor Vehicles and addressed a welfare eligibility system that was absurdly complex and treacherously error-prone.
He finally got the state off the dime on Daylight Saving Time. (Although some counties, left to their own devices, ended up in the wrong zone, the notion of reviving the whole controversy with a statewide vote is ill-advised.)
He raised revenue (sales tax up, from 6 cents to 7 cents; cigarette tax up, from 55 cents to 99.5 cents) and hoped to raise income taxes for one year on those with incomes over $100,000. New revenue has financed broad property tax relief and real enhancement of health coverage eligibility for low-income parents.
Ms. Thompson, in a sometimes needlessly negative campaign, has raised worthwhile questions -- for example, about logging in state forests and privatizing the Hoosier Lottery. She is talented, energetic and dogged -- good qualities in a leader.
However, Mr. Daniels has pursued ambitious, substantive goals and worked toward them successfully with House Democratic leadership. He deserves a second term.
The candidate not endorsed today is invited to respond. A letter of no more than 250 words will be published if received by noon Thursday by e-mail at cjletter@courier-journal.com, by fax at 582-4155 or by our first-floor reception desk at 525 W. Broadway.
